List of Hot Black Singles number ones of 1985

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Freddie Jackson (pictured in 2019) spent eight weeks at number one in 1985, the most by any act. FreddieJackson2019.png
Freddie Jackson (pictured in 2019) spent eight weeks at number one in 1985, the most by any act.

Billboard published a weekly chart in 1985 ranking the top-performing singles in the United States in African American-oriented genres; the chart has undergone various name changes over the decades to reflect the evolution of black music and has been published as Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs since 2005. [1] In 1985, it was published under the title Hot Black Singles, [2] and 21 different singles reached number one.

Contents

In the issue of Billboard dated January 5, the group Midnight Star was at number one with "Operator", the song's third week atop the chart. The track ultimately spent five weeks in the top spot, but would prove to be the group's only chart-topper. [3] It was replaced at number one by "Gotta Get You Home Tonight" by Eugene Wilde, who reached the peak position with his first single to enter the chart. [4] Seven other acts reached number one for the first time during the year: Maze featuring Frankie Beverly with "Back in Stride" in April, the supergroup USA For Africa with "We Are the World" and Whitney Houston with "You Give Good Love" in May, Freddie Jackson with "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)" in June, both Loose Ends with "Hangin' on a String (Contemplating)" and René & Angela with "Save Your Love (For #1)" in July, and Ready for the World with "Oh Sheila" in September. [5] Both Houston and Jackson achieved a second chart-topper before the end of the year. Additionally, the trio Isley-Jasper-Isley had their first chart topper under that name with "Caravan of Love", having previously spent time at number one as part of the Isley Brothers. [6] "We Are the World", a charity single intended to relieve starving people in Africa, particularly those feeling the effects of a lengthy famine in Ethiopia, [7] became the fastest-selling American pop single in history [8] and dominated radio airplay. [9] As a result, it topped the Hot 100, Hot Adult Contemporary, Hot Black Singles, and Hot Dance/Disco 12 Inch Singles Sales charts. [10] [11] Houston's "Saving All My Love for You", Ready for the World's "Oh Sheila" and Stevie Wonder's "Part-Time Lover" also topped both the Black Singles chart and the Hot 100. [12]

In addition to Houston and Jackson, Kool & the Gang and Wilde had multiple number ones during 1985. Jackson's "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)" tied with "Part-Time Lover" by Wonder for 1985's longest run in the peak position at six weeks each; Jackson's total of eight weeks at number one was the most of any act. In August, Aretha Franklin's "Freeway of Love" became her twentieth chart-topper, extending her record as the artist with the most number ones on the listing; it would prove to be her final appearance atop the chart, 18 years after her first. [13] Diana Ross, another of the biggest stars of black music, [14] also topped the chart for the final time. [15] She spent three weeks at number one with "Missing You", a tribute to singer Marvin Gaye, who had died the previous year. [15] Ross had first topped the chart as one of the Supremes in 1965. [16] The final number one of 1985 was Wilde's "Don't Say No Tonight"; although Wilde gained two number ones in 1985, he would achieve no further chart-toppers in his career. [4]

Chart history

"Freeway of Love" by Aretha Franklin (pictured in 1968) was her record-extending 20th number one on the chart when it reached the top position in August. Aretha Franklin 1968.jpg
"Freeway of Love" by Aretha Franklin (pictured in 1968) was her record-extending 20th number one on the chart when it reached the top position in August.
"Save Your Love (For #1)" was a chart-topper for Rene & Angela (Angela Winbush pictured in 1996). Angela Winbush.jpg
"Save Your Love (For #1)" was a chart-topper for René & Angela (Angela Winbush pictured in 1996).
"Missing You" was the final number one on the chart for Diana Ross (pictured in 1982), who had first topped the listing in 1965 as part of the Supremes. Diana Ross (1982).jpg
"Missing You" was the final number one on the chart for Diana Ross (pictured in 1982), who had first topped the listing in 1965 as part of the Supremes.
Whitney Houston (pictured in 2009) reached number one for the first time with "You Give Good Love". Flickr Whitney Houston performing on GMA 2009 3.jpg
Whitney Houston (pictured in 2009) reached number one for the first time with "You Give Good Love".
Key
Indicates number 1 on Billboard's year-end black singles chart [17]
Chart history
Issue dateTitleArtist(s)Ref.
January 5"Operator" Midnight Star [18]
January 12 [19]
January 19 [20]
January 26"Gotta Get You Home Tonight" Eugene Wilde [21]
February 2"Mr. Telephone Man" New Edition [22]
February 9 [23]
February 16 [24]
February 23"Missing You" Diana Ross [25]
March 2 [26]
March 9 [27]
March 16"Nightshift" Commodores [28]
March 23 [29]
March 30 [30]
April 6 [31]
April 13"Back In Stride" Maze featuring Frankie Beverly [32]
April 20 [33]
April 27"Rhythm Of the Night" DeBarge [34]
May 4"We Are the World" USA for Africa [35]
May 11 [36]
May 18"Fresh" Kool & the Gang [37]
May 25"You Give Good Love" Whitney Houston [38]
June 1"Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)" Freddie Jackson [39]
June 8 [40]
June 15 [41]
June 22 [42]
June 29 [43]
July 6 [44]
July 13"Hangin' on a String (Contemplating)" Loose Ends [45]
July 20"Save Your Love (For #1)" René & Angela [46]
July 27 [47]
August 3"Freeway of Love" Aretha Franklin [48]
August 10 [49]
August 17 [50]
August 24 [51]
August 31 [52]
September 7"Saving All My Love for You" Whitney Houston [53]
September 14"Cherish" Kool & the Gang [54]
September 21"Oh Sheila" Ready For the World [55]
September 28 [56]
October 5"You Are My Lady" Freddie Jackson [57]
October 12 [58]
October 19"Part-Time Lover" Stevie Wonder [59]
October 26 [60]
November 2 [61]
November 9 [62]
November 16 [63]
November 23 [64]
November 30"Caravan of Love" Isley-Jasper-Isley [65]
December 7 [66]
December 14 [67]
December 21"Don't Say No Tonight" Eugene Wilde [68]
December 28 [69]

See also

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Works cited